Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 5)

• Cee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2020

"Hurt my back in 2005 doing leg weights on a leg machine. I was seeing my primary doctor for the pain in my lower back. No relief from the meds he gave me. He sent me to a pain management doctor for back injections and other types of meds. Been on oxy 7.5 mg for a few years now. I asked him what else was out there that might help. He gave me a script for 150 mg of Belbuca. It did nothing at all for my chronic back pain. I now have a script for the 300 mg, but wondering if that is any better. The oxy works better. I take 1 three times a day. If the 300 mg doesn't work when I get it filled, I don't want anymore."

• Bub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2018

"I am a long-term sufferer of interstitial cystitis... debilitating chronic illness. Dr. randomly decided to prescribe Belbuca 300 mg out of the blue. Was taking hydrocodone 10/325, 5 a day for 7 yrs. That's it. My quality of life was good considering what I have, and no type of addiction. Anyways... I am here to let you know that I am now curled up in a ball on my couch, trying to decide whether or not I should go to the hospital... as Belbuca absolutely does not work!"

• Eri...
• June 1, 2013

"I've had 2 surgeries, nerve stimulant, injections, nerve burns, Physical Therapy, chiro, acupuncture, and every medicine made. With 4 kids, I have to be able to drive, think and function. I have severe sciatica, hip & back pain. I am bone on bone with a rupture at L3/L4 and after the failed nerve stimulation my only option is fusion from L3 to S1 - NOT an option. I started Butrans about 6 months ago on 10 and moved to 20. I change every 5 days - my doctor wrote it that way - it wears off after 5. My pain breaks through some - but I have Norco which is less effective on the patch. It has to be put on carefully, precisely, & it itches, creates a slight rash and it occasionally comes off but I can't live without it. I don't feel high, I just feel relief."

• bio...
• February 14, 2013

"After more than a year of asking for extended relief (and moving up to 60mg Percocet with 40mg Flexeril), I was barely able to cook a meal, take a shower, anything that required standing. I was skeptical at first, but (hopefully I'm not jinxing myself), the addition of the Butrans patch for me has been life-changing. I often skip my oral doses, and I cooked two Christmas dinners. I cleaned my house, and right now I'm painting a bathroom and bedroom, a few hours at a time."

• EdI...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2017

"At 45 - 2 bulging cervical disks (C2, C4), stenosis with radiculopathy into my trachea. Very strange and unbelievably painful. 4 years, tons of epidurals, physical therapy, hot packs and, yes, pain meds. This one is a winner with a giant caveat. First Narco, then Percocet, then OxyContin, then Zohydro, then... back to Narco. Not fun. BELBUCA: It works... well enough. You have ZERO euphoria or any druggie feeling - you can function and be productive. The pain-blocking sensation that a true opioid provides is there. My only gripe is the tiny 12 hr “mouth patch” itself. This is a disaster and has caused several destroyed patches that refused to insert and stick to finger. HUGELY frustrating. Will not properly dose unless applied perfectly."

• Jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2019

"I’ve been on Norco 10/325 since 2014 for severe DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) in the neck through lumbar. Counting 2 surgeries and herniations in the lumbar area. This is month three on Belbuca, and I feel alive and productive again. Started on 150 mg twice a day with 10/325 for breakthrough, increased to 300 mg twice a day. I expect to go to 450 mg this month. Tip: wean off your hydro or oxy slowly while you are taking Belbuca. Then use hydrocodone for breakthrough."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2019

"I was really excited to start this medication recommended by my PM neurologist. Unfortunately, I had horrific reactions to it. My face became red and covered in red dots. My hands swelled up and were very itchy. I was unable to have a bowel movement. I had severe headaches and vomiting. I was lethargic and extremely sleepy. I had terrible nightmares and would wake up yelling or crying. My body has been twitching and spasming uncontrollably. I can’t think or comprehend anything. I suffered through these side effects for 3 days, hoping my body just needed to adjust, but on the evening of my last dose, I had chest pain and thought I was going to die choking on a banana. My throat had swelled up. It’s been about 60 hours since I took the last dose of Belbuca, my throat still feels slightly swollen. My body is still twitching every 15-30 seconds, and I am extremely sleepy. Other than the bad headache and chest pain, it worked on my chronic pain."

• Jam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 6, 2019

"Butrans saved my life and enabled me to function with severe chronic pain, type 1 diabetes, and fibromyalgia. Been on max 20 mcg/hr for several years now. Have terrible sensitivity to patch adhesive, so spray Flovent (puffer) on skin prior to applying patch and all good! Ask your doc for off-label use of Flovent if you get severe itch - I was scratching my skin raw."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2020

"After I was put on the Butrans patch, I couldn’t sleep longer than 5 hours, and I have chronic fatigue syndrome, which normally requires at least 9 hours of sleep. Even though it didn’t help my pain, I continued using it, thinking it’s one of those meds that takes time to work. By the third week, I had a seizure."

• MSr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2018

"I have been on and with the same pain management clinic for over 14 years. Due to chronic pain and from multiple spinal surgeries, I have been on a strict regimen of Norco for many years. Recently, in September of 2018, the pain management clinic said that due to strict government guidelines, they must wean all of their patients off all types of opioids. They had decided to place me on Belbuca, buprenorphine sublingual oral patches. Within a few days, I was experiencing nausea and fatigue, so severe that I had to take leave from my job for days."

• 61y...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2016

"I took Subutex after my breast cancer surgery along with 800 mg Motrin. It worked very well, the pain level got to around a 2 on the pain scale. I'm presently on it now, I have 3 crushed lumbar vertebrae along with CA. I'm comfortable. I only wish this had been around 30 years ago. Thanks."

• Tiw...
• February 18, 2013

"Butrans works. I have a hard time finding medicines that work, but plainly put, this works. It does come with a price, however, the patches are sometimes hard to keep on, showering becomes a true chore, the NextCare patches (to cover and waterproof the Butrans patch) are expensive and only last a few days. I wore Butrans for almost a year and in some places, it has scarred me - leaving an outline of the patch on my skin. Also, the patch can itch MADLY in some places. Finally, you must choose your location PERFECTLY or the patch will 'bubble' up or develop waves where the medicine is not making contact with your skin. Again, this patch works."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2015

"This did work for very severe back pain. It lasted for about half a year. Then I changed to 20 mg oxy twice a day. These have now failed. I'm now going back to Subutex. When it works, it is very, very good. Long-term, no idea."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2019

"I have used a 150 film for a few months now, previous were the patches, which ate holes in my skin and made me feel terrible. Previous to that, everything since 3 accidents since 2004, with serious injuries. I was lastly on oxycodone 90 mg a day, what a nightmare. I could not function, did not want to see anyone or go anywhere for over 4 years, lost all savings, could not work, and was in despair and felt like a drug addict. I now am back to work, have great energy, am happy, around 60% less pain daily, can sleep, etc. It has made life worth living again. ***My doctor will not move up my dosage, however, I feel that if it was up 33%, it would be very helpful. Does anyone know the reason for this? ***He did have me put the film in my cheek and hold it for 5 seconds with my tongue. I have had no problem with getting the film to stay properly."

• JMC...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2020

"Was prescribed morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone for several years for injury, went through a divorce and lost my insurance. My psychiatrist put me on Subutex, and it literally saved my life! It really helps my pain, and I have no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever! It’s a wonder medication. I’m prescribed 8 mg BID if that helps."

• Lol...
• September 11, 2013

"I loved this at first. I was able to leave it on for the full 7 days. The longer I left it on, my skin started to itch. Now, still trying to use it because it works so well, I can only leave it on for about 3 days before my skin is totally broken out. I am so disappointed because I'd rather not take pills."

• jet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2021

"Belbuca is the absolute worst pain medication I've ever had. People on these reviews can say all they want about how great this medicine works, but I can tell you from a past of taking many different pain medications that Belbuca does not work well at all. Trust me, I know what a good pain medicine is, and it is for sure not Belbuca. It is a complete joke forced on us because of the government. People with pain want a drug that works so they can get their life back, not some government-forced drug that's supposed to be less addictive that does nothing at all. It's so stupid, and a lot of people are suffering for it."

• Phq...
• June 8, 2019

"I’ve been on Belbuca for three months, and it’s not working, it hasn’t helped at all. They want to treat me like an addict. I’ve been on Xtampza 27 mg a little over a year with Oxycodone 10 mg for breakthrough. It works great, and I have had my life back. Before I was on Percocet 10/325, and my life was hell. It helped with pain but made me miserable. The Xtampza gives the same meds, Oxycodone, but over a 12-hour period. This Belbuca doesn’t do anything for the pain, as a matter of fact, it makes it worse. So, Monday I’m taking my prescriptions back to the doctors on Monday and stopping all meds cold turkey. They started me on Belbuca 150 mg, then 300 mg, now 450 mg, but I’m not even going to waste my money on it. I have a Neurostimulator for five years. I’m going to just going to suffer and rely on the Neurostimulator."

• Jus...
• December 29, 2014

"My pain doctor suggested Butrans. Butrans works for me. It takes my pain level down to 3 or 4, and that is manageable for me. The only problem I have with the patch is I am allergic to the adhesive. I have to use a spray steroid prior to placing the patch. So far, it has worked. No itching or welts. I have a hard time getting it approved through both my insurances. It takes a couple of days to finally get it approved. I rarely have to take my breakthrough pain meds, and I like that."

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2020

"I took Belbuca for the first time. 75 mcg was not good, so many side effects, including stomach pain, couldn't walk, coughing, confusion, sore throat, and couldn't sleep, and more, and my pain got worse. This is not a good medication for me."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

"I used the generic Butrans patch for 3 weeks due to my insurance co-pays. Each week, after 24 hours of applying the patch, the adhesive broke loose from the skin, and the patch was rendered useless. I eventually taped the patch to my arm but did not receive the full effect of the patch's medication. My pain increased significantly during this time. I contacted the company three times and sent photos, but the company representative did not resolve the issue. I now use only the brand name Butrans and pay a higher co-pay. I feel that the company should, at least, reimburse me for the defective patches."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2017

"I tried the Butrans patch after many years of being on oxy or hydrocodone. The first week was great. The very first night, I actually slept and woke up refreshed, which I realized hadn't happened in years. After that, it was a nightmare! The 2nd week, I began to notice I was in more pain than I was before I started the Butrans patch, and my right hand was waking me up about 3:30 am numb and feeling on fire, and I fought with that until I had to get up and go to work. I wasn't sure what was going on. By the 3rd week, both my hands were waking me up numb and feeling on fire around 1:30 every night! I was exhausted and in much more pain than ever! I took the patch off, and my symptoms are slowly subsiding. DO NOT TAKE THIS MED!!!!"

• Rus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 22, 2018

"After spending 4 years taking pills of hydrocodone and morphine for my chronic back pain and worrying whether I would not wake up from sleep, I expressed this concern to my new pain management doctor, who referred the Butrans patch. I started with 5 mcg and am now at 20 mcg after a year. I went through the side effects, from migraines to severe itching, and persevered, I learned to use Benadryl, and the migraines were gone after 3 months. My pain is now considerably less, from (9 to 2-4). I feel a lot better, and yes, I still have some effects, but they are nothing compared to the terrible withdrawal effects of pills and the fact I am still alive for my children and grandchildren."

• Fri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

"I started the Butrans patch in place of oral tramadol, two 50 mg four times daily after many years. I followed the leaflet to the tee. Almost immediately I had become exhausted. After waking, my breathing became labored, and the patch site started itching uncontrollably. Worried and anxious, I hadn't slept all night. After 24 hours, I called my physician about my symptoms. Now, I have a rash and am dosing myself with Benadryl for the next several days. This drug was a nightmare without the slumber."

• Kat...
• February 4, 2016

"I have been on the Butran pain patch for several years now because of chronic back pain (23 years). I started with 20 mcg and now I'm on 15 mcg. It really helps with my back pain. I hate taking anything that blurs my mind, and this by far doesn't do that. I am tired a lot (I have CFS), and I drink a lot of water. This medicine saved my life. I am now walking, swimming (I apply a waterproof bandaid over the patch), stretching, and doing housework. My life is so much better. I am not pain-free, but on a scale of one to ten, ten being the worst - I am a three. For almost 20 years, I was a ten."